A pioneering blood test designed to detect early pancreatic cancer is currently being trialled by UK doctors, aiming to improve outcomes for a disease notorious for its late diagnosis and high mortality rate. This innovative genomic test analyzes blood samples for indicators of pancreatic cancer, which often presents vague symptoms and can be fatal within months of diagnosis.
The trial focuses on patients newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, a group found to have an elevated risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Particularly, individuals over 50 with recent onset type 2 diabetes face a significantly higher chance—within three years—of a pancreatic cancer diagnosis, making them a critical target for early screening.
Preliminary results for the Avantect test show a 68% accuracy rate in detecting early-stage pancreatic cancer, with an impressive 97% accuracy in ruling out those who do not have the disease. This is a vital step forward, given that pancreatic cancer causes nearly 10,000 deaths annually in the UK.
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Led by consultant surgeon and researcher Zaed Hamady at the Cancer Research UK Southampton Clinical Trials Unit, the study represents a significant advance in early detection efforts. Hamady explains, “Currently, no targeted tests exist for early detection, so patients often receive a diagnosis only when symptoms worsen significantly. Early detection could open up more treatment options and improve survival rates.”
Although not all people with type 2 diabetes develop pancreatic cancer, new-onset diabetes increases the risk six to eightfold. Therefore, focusing on this group allows researchers to better assess the test’s accuracy and potentially benefit thousands in the future.
The test is being validated by biotechnology company ClearNote Health, targeting individuals with high risk due to age, recent diabetes diagnosis, genetic predisposition, or family history. Pancreatic cancer and type 2 diabetes share symptom overlap because the cancer attacks insulin-producing cells, mimicking diabetes symptoms.
The urgency of such advancements is underscored by personal stories like that of Sean Cleghorn, whose wife Allison was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer shortly after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and passed away within four weeks. Sean reflects, “If a test like this had been available earlier, we might have had more time together as a family.”
Senior trial manager Angelica Cazaly states that the study is recruiting up to 800 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients from GP surgeries and diabetic clinics to provide blood samples for testing. The data collected will help refine the accuracy of the test and guide future research directions.
Currently, only about 5% of pancreatic cancer patients survive beyond ten years, due largely to late detection. Samuel Levy, chief scientific officer of ClearNote Health, emphasizes the importance of this research: “Our data indicates Avantect can identify cancer at stages I and II. This collaboration could transform pancreatic cancer detection and patient management.”
Dr Chris Macdonald, head of research at Pancreatic Cancer UK, echoes the optimism but cautions, “While new tests show promise, more research is needed to ensure accuracy before they become routine in GP clinics. Early detection through blood, breath, and urine tests has the potential to save thousands of lives annually.”
This groundbreaking clinical trial marks a hopeful stride toward earlier diagnosis and improved survival rates for pancreatic cancer patients in the UK.